Inflator assembly

• US 5,364,127 A
• Filed: 06/11/1993
• Issued: 11/15/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Cuevas, Jess A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rice, Kenneth R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Application Number:
  US08/076,112
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 280/737, 280/741 R, 280/740, 280/736 R, 222/3, 102/530, 102/531, 422/164, 422/165, 422/166
• US Class Current: 280/741
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/272 with means for increasing the pressure of the gas just before or during liberation, e.g. hybrid inflators

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for inflating an air bag (12) includes a pressure vessel (14), a diffuser (180) and an ignitable material (80). The pressure vessel (14) defines a sealed chamber (18) which is filled with inflation fluid that is not ignitable within the chamber (18). The diffuser (180) directs the inflation fluid from the pressure vessel (14) to the air bag (12). The ignitable material (80) is ignited and emits combustion products in response to an actuating signal. The apparatus (10) further includes a canister (70) for dispersing the combustion products in the inflation fluid within the chamber (18). The canister (70) contains the ignitable material (80) and is moved within the chamber (18) when the ignitable material (80) is burning.

Claims

1. Apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, said apparatus comprising:

pressure vessel means for defining a sealed chamber, said chamber being filled with inflation fluid that is essentially free of components that would be combustible within said chamber;

means for directing said inflation fluid from said pressure vessel means into the inflatable device;

ignitable means for increasing the temperature and pressure of said inflation fluid within said chamber, said ignitable means including an ignitable material being contained in a canister which, when ignited, produces combustion products including heat for heating and pressurizing said inflation fluid;

igniter means for igniting said ignitable material in response to an actuating signal; and

dispersing means for dispersing said combustion products in said inflation fluid within said chamber, said dispersing means moving said canister containing said ignitable material within said chamber when said ignitable material is burning.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said dispersing means includes means for causing said combustion products to develop a thrust against said canister to propel said canister through said inflation fluid within said chamber.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said dispersing means supports said canister at a location outside said chamber.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said pressure vessel means includes a rupturable vessel wall which is rupturable to define an exit opening through which said inflation fluid flows outward from said chamber, said thrust propelling said canister against said rupturable vessel wall to rupture said rupturable vessel wall.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for directing said inflation fluid from said pressure vessel means into the inflatable device includes a diffuser having a plurality of openings through which said inflation fluid can flow from said pressure vessel means toward the inflatable device.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the inflatable device is an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint, said apparatus further including means for generating said actuating signal in response to vehicle deceleration.

7. Apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, said apparatus comprising:

pressure vessel means for defining a sealed chamber, said chamber being filled with inflation fluid that is essentially free of components that would be combustible within said chamber;

means for directing said inflation fluid from said pressure vessel means into the inflatable device;

ignitable means for increasing the temperature and pressure of said inflation fluid within said chamber, said ignitable means including an ignitable material which, when ignited, produces combustion products including heat for heating and pressurizing said inflation fluid; and

igniter means for igniting said ignitable material in response to an actuating signal;

said pressure vessel means further defining a canister in which said ignitable material is contained, said pressure vessel means further including means for causing said combustion products to develop a thrust against said canister to propel said canister through said inflation fluid within said chamber when said ignitable material is burning.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said pressure vessel means supports said canister in a first position relative to said chamber, said pressure vessel means having a rupturable portion which, when ruptured, releases said canister for movement from said first position, said pressure vessel means further causing said combustion products to rupture said rupturable portion of said pressure vessel means when said ignitable material is burning.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said rupturable portion of said pressure vessel means blocks said inflation fluid from flowing outward from said chamber and, when ruptured, releases said inflation fluid to flow outward from said chamber.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said chamber has a longitudinal axis along which said canister is propelled, said canister occupying approximately 75% of the transverse cross-sectional area of said chamber when said canister is propelled along said axis.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said transverse cross-sectional area of said chamber is circular, said canister having a planar circular surface perpendicular to said axis, the area of said surface being equal to approximately 75% of said transverse cross-sectional area.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for directing said inflation fluid from said pressure vessel means into the inflatable device includes a diffuser having a plurality of openings through which said inflation fluid can flow from said pressure vessel means toward the inflatable device.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein the inflatable device is an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint, said apparatus further including means for generating said actuating signal in response to vehicle deceleration.